Newton juveniles charged for stealing guns, parents charged for concealing them

Newton Police Department has charged three juveniles with felonies for allegedly stealing guns, and some of their parents may go to jail for hiding the evidence.

According to a Nov. 5 press release, all three juveniles — whose names were not identified in the press release due to them being under the age of 18 — have been charged with burglary, reckless use of firearms and trafficking stolen firearms. These felony charges resulted from a two-month investigation.

Officers on Aug. 21 received a report of a burglary in the 1600 block of West Seventh Street South in Newton. The victim reported firearms and numerous other items were stolen.

Over the course of the investigation, police learned parents of some of the juveniles attempted to hide, conceal and/or alter the physical evidence related to the prosecution of their children. As a result, Newton Police Department charged two individuals: Brian Ray Hammer Sr., 44, and Amanda Lynn Bruce, 38.

Hammer has been charged with accessary after the fact (aggravated misdemeanor), obstructing prosecution (aggravated misdemeanor) and contributing to the delinquency of a minor (simple misdemeanor). Bruce was charged with obstructing prosecution (aggravated misdemeanor).

The case is still under the investigation.